‘Keeping Children Safe Wristbands’, the Ploughing and FBD initiative, will be a big feature once again for this year’s National Ploughing Championships.

The white wristbands, which will be handed out at all of the event entrances, allow for a contact phone number to be written on the band in the event the wearer wanders off among the crowd and cannot be located.

Demand has seen the quantity of wristbands trebled this year so parents are urged to be vigilant. They are told to look for the FBD ‘Acorn’ at the gates to get the wristbands – “so everyone can have a great day at ploughing,” according to organisers.

Commenting on the move, FBD CEO Fiona Muldoon said: “FBD is delighted to continue this fantastic safety initiative which protects our children at the biggest event in the farming calendar.

“We believe in fostering the next generation of Irish farmers and we hope that some of our wristband wearers may one day participate in or win FBD Young Farmer of the Year or FBD Teagasc Student of the Year competitions,” she added.

We hope all young visitors will wear their wristbands and have a great, safe and fun day out at Ploughing 2017.

The National Ploughing is “the perfect family day out for children” according to organisers.

NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh also spoke on the move, stating: “We are delighted to be partnering up with FBD again as this is a wonderful safety concept not just for children but anyone who is slightly vulnerable attending Ploughing throughout the 3 days, as it allays fears and adds greatly to visitors’ enjoyment of the event.

All can now rest assured that loved ones will be returned safely in case they get lost in the large crowds that attend the championships; the 2016 event was attended by 283,000 visitors.

This year’s National Ploughing Championships will take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offlay from September 19 to 21.

Tickets are now available online with no booking fee at www.npa.ie or by phoning 059-8625125. Special student and group rates apply to pre-event orders and all children under 12 are free.